Is Chicken High in Glycine? Understanding Glycine Content and Sources

December 4, 2025 •

4 min read

Approximately one-third of the amino acid content in the body's most abundant protein, collagen, is glycine. While your body produces glycine naturally, consuming a balanced diet rich in this amino acid is crucial for many functions, prompting the question: is chicken high in glycine?

Quick Summary

Chicken provides a moderate source of glycine, but concentrations vary depending on the cut. Higher amounts are found in collagen-rich parts like the skin, cartilage, and bone broth. Muscle meat contains less but still contributes to your overall intake.

Key Points

Chicken skin is a top source: Chicken skin contains a high concentration of glycine, around 3.3 grams per 100 grams, making it a rich dietary source.
Bone broth is an excellent option: Simmering chicken bones and connective tissues creates a potent bone broth that delivers a concentrated dose of glycine and collagen.
Lean muscle meat is moderate: Chicken breast and other lean cuts of muscle meat are not considered high-glycine foods compared to parts with more connective tissue.
Glycine is vital for collagen: This amino acid is critical for forming the triple-helix structure of collagen, which supports skin, joints, and ligaments.
Glycine supports sleep and immunity: The amino acid can improve sleep quality, protect against oxidative stress, and reinforce the body's immune barriers.
Dietary intake can be insufficient: While the body produces glycine, evidence suggests that synthesis may not always meet the body's full needs, making dietary sources important.

The Importance of Glycine

Glycine is a non-essential amino acid, meaning the body can synthesize it from other amino acids. However, the amount produced may not always be sufficient to meet the body's needs, particularly for essential processes like collagen synthesis. As the simplest amino acid, glycine plays a vital role in numerous bodily functions, including acting as a neurotransmitter, supporting detoxification, and aiding in the creation of crucial compounds like creatine and glutathione.

Functions of Glycine

Collagen Synthesis: Glycine makes up about one-third of the amino acid content in collagen, providing the structural stability for this crucial protein found in skin, joints, ligaments, and tendons.
Glutathione Production: It is one of three amino acids the body uses to make glutathione, a powerful antioxidant that protects against cellular damage.
Creatine Formation: Glycine is a precursor to creatine, which supplies energy to muscles for short, intense bursts of activity, benefiting muscle size and strength.
Improved Sleep: Studies suggest that taking glycine before bed can enhance sleep quality and reduce daytime sleepiness.
Anti-inflammatory Effects: Glycine has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, which may help protect against certain diseases.

Glycine Content in Different Chicken Parts

While chicken, in general, is a good source of protein, the concentration of glycine differs significantly depending on the part consumed. Glycine is most concentrated in the connective tissues, skin, and bones, which are rich in collagen. The amount is much lower in lean muscle meat, such as chicken breast.

Glycine-rich chicken parts

Chicken Skin: This is one of the most concentrated sources of glycine in chicken, containing around 3.3 grams per 100 grams. Cooking and eating the skin on poultry is an excellent way to boost your intake.
Bone Broth: Made by simmering chicken bones and connective tissues, bone broth is a nutrient-rich food that delivers a highly concentrated dose of glycine. A single cup can provide a significant amount.
Cartilage and Connective Tissue: These parts, often found in tougher cuts like chicken thighs and drumsticks, are also rich in collagen and, therefore, glycine. These are ideal for making stews or broth.

Lower glycine chicken parts

Chicken Breast: The leanest part of the chicken is primarily composed of muscle protein and contains a much lower concentration of glycine compared to skin or broth. While still a healthy protein source, it is not the best choice if you are specifically targeting glycine intake.
Chicken Thigh: While containing more glycine than the breast due to a higher fat and connective tissue content, the thigh still has significantly less than the skin.

Chicken vs. Other Protein Sources

To put chicken's glycine content into perspective, it helps to compare it with other animal-based and plant-based protein sources. Collagen-rich foods, such as bone broth and gelatin, are by far the highest sources, followed by certain cuts of red meat. Chicken muscle meat, on the other hand, provides a more modest amount.

Comparison of Glycine Content (mg per 100g serving)


Food Item	Glycine Content (mg/100g)	Notes
Chicken Skin	~3,300	Very high, concentrated source due to collagen.
Bone Broth	~710	Rich source, easily absorbed.
Ground Beef	~1,818	High, especially in fatty or tougher cuts.
Roast Chicken Leg	~1,199 (est.)	Lower than skin or broth, higher than breast.
Chicken Thigh	~1,290	Contains more collagen and glycine than breast.
Chicken Breast	~1,134 (est.)	Lowest glycine of chicken parts listed.
Turkey	~1,750	Comparable to higher-glycine chicken cuts.
Gelatin	19,100	The richest dietary source.
Pork Skin	11,900	Extremely high due to collagen content.
Soybeans	500	Plant-based source, much lower than animal products.

How to Increase Glycine Intake from Chicken

Incorporating higher amounts of glycine from chicken into your diet is straightforward if you know what to focus on. Simply eating muscle meat won't provide the same benefit as utilizing the collagen-rich parts.

Make your own bone broth. Save chicken bones, feet, and carcasses to simmer for several hours. This process extracts collagen and glycine, creating a nutritious broth that can be used as a base for soups, stews, or consumed on its own.
Eat the skin. Instead of removing it, roast chicken with the skin on. The skin is a concentrated source of glycine and can add delicious flavor.
Opt for darker meat. Choose chicken thighs and legs over breast meat when possible, as they contain more connective tissue and, thus, more glycine.
Use chicken feet. In many cuisines, chicken feet are used to make incredibly rich, gelatinous broths. This is one of the most effective ways to extract large amounts of glycine.

Conclusion

While lean chicken muscle meat is not particularly high in glycine, the connective tissues, skin, and bones are exceptionally rich in this important amino acid. For those looking to increase their dietary glycine intake for its benefits to collagen synthesis, sleep, and overall health, prioritizing collagen-rich sources like chicken skin and homemade bone broth is far more effective than relying on lean breast meat alone. By using the entire chicken, you can maximize your nutritional return and enjoy the full spectrum of glycine's health advantages.

Ancient Nutrition: Glycine Benefits, Foods and Supplement Sources

Glycine's Importance

Glycine is not just a building block for proteins; it is an anti-inflammatory immunonutrient that can have a protective effect on organs and modulate the immune response. A deficiency can impact collagen turnover and overall health. Therefore, consuming enough glycine through diet or supplementation can help reinforce the body's mechanical system and immune barriers.

Frequently Asked Questions

The parts of the chicken with the most glycine are the skin, bones, and connective tissues, as these are rich in collagen. Bone broth, made from simmering these parts, is an exceptionally concentrated source.

No, chicken breast is not a good source of glycine compared to other parts of the chicken. As lean muscle meat, its glycine concentration is significantly lower than in the skin, bones, or broth.

For many people, dietary intake of glycine, especially from a standard diet, may not be enough to meet the body's full requirements, which average around 10 grams daily. This is why sources like bone broth and skin are so valuable.

Vegetarians can obtain glycine from plant-based sources, though in lower concentrations than meat. Good options include legumes (like soybeans, beans, and lentils), spinach, kale, and certain seeds.

Glycine offers several health benefits, including supporting collagen synthesis for healthy skin and joints, aiding in the production of the antioxidant glutathione, and improving sleep quality by calming the brain and lowering core body temperature.

Yes, how chicken is cooked affects its glycine content. Simmering bones and connective tissues for a long time, as in bone broth, effectively extracts and concentrates glycine. Cooking with the skin on helps preserve the glycine within it.

While supplements are a convenient option, obtaining glycine from whole foods like chicken skin and bone broth is often recommended. Food sources also provide other important nutrients that contribute to a balanced diet.